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Bisola Aiyeola, a prominent figure in the entertainment industry known for her participation in the Big Brother Naija reality television show and her acting career, has recently addressed concerns raised about her approach to parenting.
During a recent episode of “Mums Next Door” hosted by Maria
Chike, Bisola shared her experience facing criticism for her decision to delay
providing her 15-year-old daughter with a mobile phone until she reaches the
age of 16.
Notwithstanding the adverse reaction, Bisola stands resolute
in her decision, elucidating that her daughter can utilize a laptop for
academic endeavors and maintain communication with peers through the Zoom
platform.
She also shared an incident where she discovered her
daughter had created a smart chat account on her laptop, resulting in an
extension of the phone ban for another year.
Bisola shared that she has faced criticism regarding her
parenting choices, particularly concerning her decision to delay providing her
daughter with a mobile phone until she turns 16. Her daughter, who recently
turned 15, has expressed a desire for a phone, but Bisola has maintained her
stance, emphasizing that her daughter will receive a phone when she reaches the
age of 16. Bisola acknowledges the concerns raised by others regarding
potential emergencies or social challenges, but she highlights that her daughter
has access to a laptop for schoolwork and can communicate with friends via
Zoom. While some individuals may perceive her approach as overly cautious or
protective, Bisola asserts that these opinions are subjective and she remains
confident in her decision.
“There was a time I found out she opened a smart chat
account on her laptop, and I disciplined her, which led me to extend her phone
usage ban by a year because she was supposed to get it this year at 15.”
What evidence exists to support restricting smartphone use for minors under 16?
What was been said?
That different studies and publications show the negative
aspects involved in the use of these devices by children under 16 years of age
and that, as a result, using a smartphone should not be allowed before this
age.
What do we know so far?
There is no scientific evidence to establish the minimum age
for using a smartphone without risks. Up to now, evidence suggests that the
effect of smartphones on adolescents depends on how and in which contexts they
use them. Social media has, for example, been associated with poorer mental
health and a greater likelihood of suffering from depression and taking part in
dangerous activities. But is but one factor among many.
There is no right age to start using a smartphone
Based on current scientific evidence, it remains challenging
to determine an appropriate age for minors to possess a phone. This notion was
reinforced in a recent comprehensive review of over 100 meta-analyses on the
impact of screens, published in Nature Human Behaviour. The study asserts that
establishing a uniform age for screen usage is scientifically unfeasible due to
the varying developmental stages of children and adolescents, as well as the
diverse applications of these devices.
“We believe that what children do with their devices is much
more important than the devices themselves, so banning phones will most likely
not address the root of the problem”, Taren Sanders, data scientist at the
Institute for Positive Psychology and Education and leader of the
aforementioned study, explained to Verificat in an email.
In accordance with the findings of the AmericanPsychological Association (APA) as of April 2023, it has been determined that
the potential risks associated with social media usage can be more pronounced
for individuals who begin using smartphones between the ages of 10 and 14,
compared to those who start using them at the age of 18. These risks may
include adverse effects on mental health, engagement in high-risk behaviors in
real life, sexting, and cyberbullying, among others.
Are smartphones truly harmful?
In conclusion, experts agree that screens themselves are not
inherently harmful. However, the risks and benefits associated with screen use
depend on several factors, including the device, usage patterns, and individual
circumstances. A comprehensive review led by Sanders revealed that most
screen-related activities have both positive and negative impacts on users’
health. Notably, the researchers identified detrimental effects primarily
linked to mental health, such as an increased risk of depression and risky
behaviors, specifically in the context of social media usage. It is important
to emphasize, however, that these negative effects are generally considered
minimal.
“Issues such as depression and mental health are complex,
and while the time spent in front of the screen could be part of the problem,
it is certainly not the only variable”, the Australian data scientist said. His
conclusions are similar to those of other umbrella reviews that have assessed
the findings of systematic reviews and meta-analyses published on the topic,
and that consider the associations between the use of screens and mental health
to be “weak” and “inconsistent”
In the opinion of María Salmerón of the AEP, there is
sufficient evidence to suggest the existence of a concerning situation. While
acknowledging the need for further research and resource allocation, Salmerón
emphasizes the importance of addressing the issue promptly rather than ignoring
it.
In addition to the conflicting results and limited data, this research area faces the added challenge of relying solely on observational studies, making it difficult to establish causal relationships. “We cannot definitively determine whether social media, for example, leads to poorer mental health or if individuals with poorer mental health are drawn to social media,” concludes the Australian researcher.